CA-125 is not a useful marker in metastatic breast cancer
Author Information
Author(s): M.J. Seckl, G.J.S. Rustin, R.C. Coombes
Primary Institution: Department of Medical Oncology, CRC Laboratories, Charing Cross Hospital
Hypothesis
Is CA-125 a useful marker for predicting disease activity in metastatic breast cancer?
Conclusion
CA-125 is not a reliable marker for disease activity in metastatic breast cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- 64% of patients had elevated CA-125 levels at entry.
- CA-125 had a sensitivity of 60% for progressive disease.
- CA-125 falsely predicted progressive disease in 32% of episodes.
- Only 41% of patients with responsive disease had a fall in CA-125 prior to clinical improvement.
Takeaway
The study found that CA-125 levels don't really help doctors know how breast cancer is doing, even though some patients had high levels.
Methodology
The study involved 36 patients with metastatic breast cancer who had serial CA-125 measurements during therapy, assessing response to treatment through various clinical evaluations.
Limitations
CA-125 levels showed high variability and did not consistently correlate with disease status.
Participant Demographics
All patients had metastatic breast cancer and normal renal function.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% binomial confidence interval calculated using incomplete beta function.
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